Device art is a relatively young art form. A group centered on Hiroo Iwata (JP) at the University of Tsukuba initiated the device art movement in 2004. The point is to use innovative materials and techniques to create high-tech appliances featuring sophisticated, cool design. They thus combine art, design, technology, science and entertainment. The content of device art is the device itself. Form, appearance and function are inseparable from one another. Though absolutely epitomizing modernity, device art also carries on ancient Japanese traditions—for example, highly esteeming playfulness and cultivating the things and practices used in everyday life.

The Device Art exhibition at the Ars Electronica Center spotlights exemplary objects that put a fun, playful exterior on a serious, high-performance core. Nevertheless, all the items on display are, at least potentially, suitable for use in everyday life. A few, such as the Otamatone, a musical instrument invented by Ryota Kuwakubo, are already on retailers’ shelves. In addition to objects by the Japanese group, the Ars Electronica Center’s exhibition includes works by artists at the ART|SCI Center of the University of California at Los Angeles (US), and Kontejner, the Zagreb, Croatia-based bureau of contemporary art practice.

Story Weaver – The Crane Returns a Favor: World premiere in Deep Space

“Story Weaver” is a musical work accompanied by animated visuals. The work will be performed by Maki Namekawa, a pianist originally from Japan who now lives in Linz. It’s based on the Japanese fable of the crane who returns a favor. Deep Space’s leading-edge infrastructure makes it possible to present this extraordinary multimedia experience. Credits: Maki Namekawa (pianist), Chiaki Ishikawa (composer), Emiko Ogawa (graphic artist), Naohiro Hayaishi (visuals programmer), Tetsuro Yasunaga (coordinator), Hideaki Ogawa (art director)